Liquid crystal display devices

ABSTRACT

Fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (FFS LCD) devices are disclosed. A first substrate is disposed opposing a second substrate with a gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and the second substrate. A gate line and data lines are formed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas. A counter electrode is disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate. A pixel electrode is disposed above the counter electrode with an insulating layer therebetween. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of parallel electrodes. Each electrode includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment has an included angle θ from the horizontal direction, the second segment has an included angle φ from the horizontal direction, and the first segment has an included angle θ from the horizontal direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/532,982, filed Sep. 19, 2006 and entitled “LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICES”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, and more particularly to fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices possess the advantages of small size, light weight and low power consumption, thus increasing portability and applicability in a wide variety of electronic and communication devices including notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones and similar. Critical features for large-scale monitors and high-end TV applications, include fast response, high contrast ratio, high transparency, and wide viewing angle without gray scale inversion. In-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display devices meet the above-mentioned high quality display feature requirements, and solve the viewing angle problems by orienting the liquid crystal molecules to be parallel with a substrate.

Fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) devices have pixel and counter electrodes comprise transparent conductors and a narrower distance between electrodes than the distance between the upper and lower substrates to form a fringe field on the electrodes. In operation, the fringe field on the electrodes forces the substantially homogeneous liquid crystal molecules to rotate transversely between the substrates in which a wide viewing angle is accomplished since the light is transmitted through the horizontally arranged liquid crystal molecules. Moreover, since the counter electrode and the pixel electrode comprise transparent conductive materials, the aperture ratio and the transmittance ratio of the display devices can thereby be improved.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,371, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses electrode structures of a conventional FFS-LCD device. The electrode structures are symmetrical and render high image display quality and high transmittance ratio.

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a conventional fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) device. An FFS-LCD 1 comprises a first substrate (an upper substrate) 10, a second substrate (a lower substrate) 20, and a liquid crystal layer 30 interposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, serving as an LCD cell. A counter electrode 11 and a plurality of pixel electrodes 13 are disposed on the first substrate 10. An insulating layer 15 is disposed between the counter electrode 11 and the plurality of pixel electrodes 13. A lower alignment layer 14 is disposed on the insulating layer 15 and covers the pixel electrodes 15. A color filter layer 25 and an upper alignment layer 24 are disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate 20 and adjust the liquid crystal layer 30.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower substrate structure of a conventional fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) device. Two parallel gate lines 3 and two parallel data lines 7 are orthogonally intersected, enclosing a pixel area. A counter electrode 11 and pixel electrodes 13 are disposed in the pixel area. The pixel electrodes 15 comprise two electrode bras 13 a parallel to the data lines 7 and a plurality of inclined electrodes 13 b with an inclined angle φ. The two ends of each electrode 13 b are separately connected to the two electrode bras 13 a. Note that the inclined angle φ of the electrodes 13 b directly affects the operating voltage of the FFS-LCD device. More specifically, the greater the inclination of electrodes 13 b, the higher the voltage required to operate the FFS-LCD device.

For small FFS-LCD panels, the inclined angle φ of the electrodes 13 b must be reduced to lower the operating voltage of the FFS-LCD device. A low inclined angle φ of electrodes 13 b (e.g., less than 7°) can cause the disclination effect deteriorating display image quality. Conversely, high inclined angle φ of the electrodes 13 b requires a high driving voltage such that the physical area of the thin film transistor (TFT) must be increased to provide adequate charge storage capability. The TFT structure comprises a gate electrode 3, a channel and source/drain regions 4, and source contact 6 a and drain contact 6 b. The drain contact 6 b connects the pixel electrodes 13 via a contact plug 9. When the physical area of the thin film transistor (TFT) increases, however, the area of the pixel electrodes 13 must be reduced, thus, a small aperture ratio and a low transmittance ratio occur.

Thus, low operating voltage FFS-LCD devices with improved aperture and transmittance ratios, capable of preventing the disclination effect are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is directed to electrode structures of an FFS-LCD device. The electrode structures comprise multiple deflected electrodes thereby providing an FFS-LCD device having low operating voltage, preventing the disclination effect and improving aperture and transmittance ratios.

Liquid crystal display devices are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display device comprises oppositely disposed first and second substrates with a predetermined gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and the second substrates. A gate line and a scan line are disposed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas. A counter electrode is disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate. A first pixel electrode is disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween. The first pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each electrode comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment; the first segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, the second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal, and the third segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, and wherein the angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ.

Note that the liquid crystal display device further comprises a second pixel electrode disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween. The second pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each electrode comprises a sixth segment, a seventh segment, and a eighth segment. The sixth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal. The seventh segment includes an angle of −φ from the horizontal. The eighth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal, and the angle of −θ is greater than the angle of −φ.

Another exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display device comprises: oppositely disposed first and second substrates with a predetermined gap therebetween; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates; a gate line and a scan line disposed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas; a counter electrode disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween; wherein the pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each electrode comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment; wherein the first segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, the second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal, and the third segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, wherein the angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ; the pixel electrode further comprises a fourth segment connecting the first segment of the odd electrodes and the third segment of the even electrodes, and fifth segment connecting the third segment of the odd electrodes and the first segment of the even electrodes.

Some embodiments of a liquid crystal display device comprise: oppositely disposed first second substrates with a predetermined gap therebetween; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates; a gate line and a scan line disposed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas; a counter electrode disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween; wherein the pixel electrode with a first portion comprising a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each electrode comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment; wherein the first segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, the second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal, and the third segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, and wherein the angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ; wherein the pixel electrode with a second portion comprising a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each electrode comprises a sixth segment, a seventh segment, and an eighth segment; wherein the sixth segment includes an angle of −φ from the horizontal, the seventh segment includes an angle of −φ from the horizontal, and the eighth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal, and wherein the angle of −θ is greater than the angle of −φ.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a conventional fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) device;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower substrate structure of a conventional fringe field switching liquid crystal display (FFS-LCD) device;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4F are cross sections of the steps of fabricating the electrode structure of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device of FIGS. 3 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

FFS-LCD devices comprising electrode structures with multiple deflected electrodes are provided. The provided FFS-LCD devices have low operating voltage, thus, the disclination effect is prevented and the aperture ratio and transmittance ratio are improved.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention. In the active matrix array substrate 101 a of FIG. 3, a unit electrode structure comprises a plurality orthogonally intersecting gate lines 103 and scan lines 107 disposed on a substrate 100. A plurality of pixel areas are defined by two adjacent gate lines 103 and scan lines 107. A counter electrode 105 is disposed on the substrate 100 and in each pixel area. A first pixel electrode 113 is disposed on the counter electrode 105 with at least one insulating layer (referring to the first insulating layer 109 and the second insulating layer 110 of FIG. 5) therebetween, wherein the first pixel electrode 113 comprises two electrode bars 113 a parallel to the scan lines 107 and a plurality of parallel electrodes 113 b. Each electrode 113 b comprises a first segment 113 b 1, a second segment 113 b 2, and a third segment 113 b 3. The first segment 113 b 1 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The second segment 113 b 2 includes an angle of φ from the horizontal. The third segment 113 b 3 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ. For example, the angle of θ is approximately in a range between 1° and 80° and the angle of φ is approximately in a range between 0° and 79°. Since in the region D neighboring the electrode bar 113 a, the angle of θ of the third segment 113 b 3 deviating from the horizontal is greater than the angle of φ, the disclination effect can thus be prevented.

FIG. 3 shows a TFT device disposed at the intersection of each gate line 103 and scan line 107 electrically coupled to the first pixel electrode 113. The TFT device comprises a gate electrode 103, a channel and source/drain regions 104, and source contact 106 a and drain contact 106 b. The drain contact 106 b connects the first pixel electrodes 113 via a contact plug 109. By deflecting the angle of θ of the third segment 113 b 3 greater than the angle of φ, the physical area of TFT device can be reduced, and the area of the first pixel electrodes 113 can nonetheless be increased resulting in improved high aperture ratio and high transmittance ratio.

Note that an alignment layer (not shown) which is horizontally rubbed is optionally formed on the pixel electrode 113 of the substrate structure 101 a.

FIGS. 4A-4F are cross sections of the steps of fabricating the electrode structure of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4A, a substrate 100 such a transparent glass substrate or a plastic substrate is provided. A patterned counter electrode is formed on the substrate 100. Referring to FIG. 4B, a patterned first metal layer including gate lines 103 and common electrode lines 108 is formed on the substrate 100, wherein the common electrode lines 108 and the counter electrode 105 are operatively electrically connected. The gate lines 103 and common electrode line 108 are parallel and made from metal materials such as aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), or other conductive materials. A gate insulating layer 109 is subsequently formed on the substrate 100 and covering the counter electrode 105, scan lines 107, and the common electrode lines 108.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a patterned semiconductor layer is formed covering part of the gate lines 103. For example, a semiconductor island 104 including an amorphous silicon island or polysilicon island is formed part of the gate line 103 to serve as a carrier channel region. A source region and a drain region are separately formed on both sides of the carrier channel region. Referring to FIG. 4D, a patterned second metal layer is formed on the substrate 100. The patterned second metal layer comprises scan lines 107, source contact 106 a and drain contact 106 b. The second metal layer is preferably comprises metal materials such as aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), or other conductive materials. A second insulating layer 110 (referring to FIG. 5) is deposited and patterned creating a contact plug 109 on the drain contact 106 b.

Referring to FIG. 4F, a patterned pixel electrode structure is formed on the second insulating layer 110 and operatively coupled the drain contact 106 b. The pixel electrode structure is disposed corresponding to the counter electrode 105 with the second insulating layer sandwiched therebetween. The first pixel electrode structure 113 comprises two electrode bars 113 a parallel to the scan lines 107 and a plurality of parallel electrodes 113 b. Each electrode 113 b comprises a first segment 113 b 1, a second segment 113 b 2, and a third segment 113 b 3. The first segment 113 b 1 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The second segment 113 b 2 includes an angle of φ from the horizontal. The third segment 113 b 3 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, a storage capacitor C_(st) and a fringe capacitor C_(f) are induced between the electrode 131 b of the pixel electrode structure 131 and the counter electrode 105. The capacitances of the storage capacitor C_(st) and the fringe capacitor C_(f) are increased as the overlying area between the electrode 131 b of the pixel electrode structure 131 and the counter electrode 105. The larger overlying area between the electrode 131 b of the pixel electrode structure 131 and the counter electrode 105 is, the larger the TFT devices are required to be to provide adequate charge storage capacity. When the physical area of the thin film transistor (TFT) device increases, however, the aperture ratio and low transmittance ratio of the FFS-LCD device are decreased. By deflecting the angle of θ greater than the angle of φ, the physical area of TFT device can be reduced by improving the aperture ratio and high transmittance ratio.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention. In the active matrix array substrate 101 b of FIG. 7, the electrode structure in each pixel area is nearly identical to the electrode structure in each pixel area of the first embodiment in FIG. 3 and for simplicity its detailed description is omitted. The electrode structure in each pixel area in FIG. 7 is different from the electrode structure in each pixel area in FIG. 3 in that a second pixel electrode 123 comprises a plurality of electrodes 113 b. Each electrode 113 b comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal. The second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal. The third segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal. The angle of −θ is greater than the angle of −φ.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8, the first pixel electrode 113 and the second pixel electrode 123 are mirror symmetrical horizontally.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another variation of the electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9, the first pixel electrode 113 and the second pixel electrode 123 are vertically and symmetrically mirrored.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 10, in order to improve the aperture ratio and transmittance ratio of the FFS-LCD device, the active matrix array substrate 101 c of the second embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of orthogonally intersecting gate lines 103 and scan lines 107 disposed on a substrate 100. A plurality of pixel areas are defined by two adjacent gate lines 103 and scan lines 107. A counter electrode 105 is disposed on the substrate 100 and in each pixel area. A pixel electrode 133 is disposed on the counter electrode 105 with at least one insulating layer therebetween. The pixel electrode 133 comprises an upper portion which comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes. Each electrode comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal. The third segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ. The pixel electrode 133 further comprises a lower portion which comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes. Each electrode comprises a sixth segment, a seventh segment, and an eighth segment. The sixth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal. The seventh segment includes an angle of −φ from the horizontal. The eighth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal. The angle of −θ is greater than the angle of −φ. Note that the first portion of the pixel electrode and the second portion of the pixel electrode are vertically and symmetrically mirrored.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an electrode structure in each pixel area of an FFS-LCD device according to a third embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 11, in order to improve the aperture ratio and transmittance ratio of the FFS-LCD device, the active matrix array substrate 101 d of the third embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of orthogonally intersecting gate lines 203 scan lines 207 disposed on a substrate 200. A plurality of pixel areas are defined by two adjacent gate lines 203 and scan lines 207. A counter electrode 205 is disposed on the substrate 200 and in each pixel area. A pixel electrode 213 is disposed on the counter electrode 205 with at least one insulating layer therebetween. The pixel electrode 213 comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes 213 b. Each electrode 213 b comprises a first segment 213 b 1, a second segment 213 b 2, and a third segment 213 b 3. The first segment 213 b 1 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The second segment 213 b 2 includes an angle of φ from the horizontal. The third segment 213 b 3 includes an angle of θ from the horizontal. The angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ. The pixel electrode 213 further comprises a fourth segment 213 a 1 connecting the third segment 213 b 3 of the odd electrodes and the third segment 213 b 3 of the even electrodes, and fifth segment 213 a 2 connecting the first segment 213 b 1 of the odd electrodes and the first segment 213 b 1 of the even electrodes. More specifically, the pixel electrode 213 is an S-shaped continuous zigzag line or an inverted S-shaped continuous zigzag line. Preferably the angle of θ is approximately in a range between 1° and 80° and the angle of φ is approximately in a range between 0° and 79°. Since in the region D neighboring the electrode bar 113 a, the angle of θ of the third segment 113 b 3 deviated from the horizontal is greater than the angle of φ, the disclination effect can thus be prevented.

Furthermore, since a first opening 213 c is formed between each adjacent fourth segments 213 a 1 and a second opening 213 c between each adjacent fifth segments 213 a 2 of the pixel electrode 213 to increase aperture ratio and transmittance ratio of the FFS-LCD device. Preferably the width of the first and the second openings 213 c is about 0.1 μm to 10 μm.

Referring to FIG. 11, a TFT device is disposed at the intersection of each gate line 203 and scan line 207 and electrically coupled to the pixel electrode 213. The TFT device comprises a gate electrode 203, a channel and source/drain regions 204, and source contact 206 a and drain contact 206 b. The drain contact 206 b connects the pixel electrodes 213 via a contact plug 209. By deflecting the angle of θ of the third segment 213 b 3 greater than the angle of φ, the physical area of TFT device can be reduced, and the area of the pixel electrodes 213 can nonetheless be increased resulting in improved high aperture ratio and high transmittance ratio.

Note that an alignment layer (not shown) which is horizontally rubbed is optionally formed on the pixel electrode 213 of the substrate structure 101 d.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first substrate disposed opposite a second substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates; a gate line and a data line disposed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas; a counter electrode disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate; a first pixel electrode disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween; a second pixel electrode disposed on the counter electrode with at least one insulating layer therebetween; wherein the first pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each parallel electrode comprises a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, a fourth segment, and a fifth segment, and wherein the first segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, the second segment includes an angle of φ from the horizontal, and the third segment includes an angle of θ from the horizontal, and wherein the angle of θ is greater than the angle of φ; wherein the second pixel electrode comprises a plurality of parallel electrodes, and each parallel electrode comprises a sixth segment, a seventh segment, and a eighth segment; and wherein the sixth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal, the seventh segment includes an angle of −φ from the horizontal, and the eighth segment includes an angle of −θ from the horizontal, and wherein the angle of −θ is greater than the angle of −φ; wherein the entire first pixel electrode is substantially a continuous ziqzaq-shaped line.
 2. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a thin film transistor disposed at an intersection of each gate line and data line and electrically couple to the first pixel electrode.
 3. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pixel electrode further comprises two electrode segments parallel to the data lines, and wherein one of the two electrode segments connects the first segment of each parallel electrode, and the other electrode segment connects the third segment of each parallel electrode.
 4. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are symmetrical and vertically mirrored.
 5. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are symmetrical and horizontally mirrored.
 6. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parallel electrodes of the first electrode comprise odd electrodes and even electrodes, the fourth segment connects the third segment of the odd electrodes and the third segment of the even electrodes, and the fifth segment connects the first segment of the odd electrodes and the first segment of the even electrodes.
 7. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a first opening between each adjacent fourth segments and a second opening between each adjacent fifth segments whereby increasing aperture ratio and transmittance ratio of the liquid crystal display device.
 8. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the width of the first and the second openings is about 0.1 μm to 10 μm.
 9. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of θ is in an approximate range of between 1° and 80°.
 10. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of is in an approximate range of 0° and 79°.
 11. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a common electrode line parallel to the gate line and connecting the counter electrode of each pixel area.
 12. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an alignment layer disposed on the first pixel electrode of the first substrate and rubbed horizontally. 